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28 May 2010 22:13

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Tech: Kevin Rose’s new Digg: A lot of ingredients in one little feed

  • Kevin Rose just combined Digg with Facebook and Twitter. As you may know, we think that Digg has a relevance problem. It also has an over-influence problem. And a sexism problem. And let’s face it, it’s kind of a pain in the butt to submit articles to. Fortunately for Digg, it has a coming redesign that looks pretty awesome.
  • Fixing the faults Digg had a lot of problems and this update has turned it into a viable source that we might actually use. It’s also way ahead of Twitter and Facebook in the way it handles RSS feeds. (Making it easier for content to gain influence organically, just like Twitter.) The mix of news, friends and tastemakers is kinda brilliant.
  • Reddit’s co-founder just jealousOne of the co-founders of Reddit has posted about it, and has trashed it as a crass move to please venture capitalists, but we completely disagree. And, if we’re being completely frank, Reddit still has these problems and always will as long as it treats content promotion from legitimate sites like spam. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

28 May 2010 19:50

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Culture: When Gary Coleman died, Twitter blew up big time

  • 4.8% of all tweets were about Coleman’s death source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

28 May 2010 19:46

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Culture: With Gary Coleman’s death, “Avenue Q” has a big problem

  • While everything in life may be only for now, we suspect that Gary’s legacy will live on for many years to come. Gary’s memory will certainly endure in the hearts and minds of those of us who live on Avenue Q.
  • A statement from the crew of the off-Broadway performance of “Avenue Q” • Regarding the death of Gary Coleman. Here’s the problem they face. One of the main characters of the play is based on the deceased “Different Strokes” star (without Coleman’s consent), and the play goes out of its way to make fun of him. One of the songs about Coleman is called “It Sucks to Be Me.” They plan on doing a tribute tonight, but we’re guessing it’s going to be tough to reconcile Coleman’s tragic death with the satire on his life. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

28 May 2010 19:31

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Biz: Indulgent burger joints like Five Guys apparently recession-proof

  • Five guys: The presidential sealBoth Barack and Michele Obama have been seen noshing on burgers from Five Guys, the 600-strong national chain that prides itself in really good burgers and fries. Too good in fact, some might argue.
     

    Part of a larger trendEven though Fuddruckers is in the midst of a bankruptcy and the economy in general is tanking, Five Guys is reflecting a trend towards bigger, better burgers. In fact, it’s one of the only growing segments of the restaurant industry. Maybe McDonald’s should consider bringing back the Arch Deluxe. source

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

28 May 2010 18:57

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U.S.: Play with this oil spill map, and scare the crap out of yourself

  • What if you could take the oil spill and put it, well, anywhere? Well, you’d completely cover the D.C. metro area, most of Maryland, and part of Delaware. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

28 May 2010 18:47

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Politics: Oh boy: Rand Paul wants to punish illegal immigrants’ children

  • DUDE. Do you not remember what happened last week? Despite, well, the 14th Amendment, Paul thinks that denying citizenship to children of illegal immigrants is a good thing. “We shouldn’t provide an easy route to citizenship,” he said. “We’re the only country that I know that allows people to come in illegally, have a baby, and then that baby becomes a citizen. And I think that should stop.” It’s an amendment man, AN AMENDMENT. He’s already said things offensive towards blacks and latinos. Who’s next? source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

28 May 2010 18:47

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U.S.: Obama on oil spill: It’s not going to be easy, but I have smart people

  • There are going to be a lot of judgment calls here. There are not going to be silver bullets or perfect answers.
  • Barack Obama • Speaking about the oil spill in Louisiana today. What are his plans? A few things. First off, check this site for the latest info on the response to the spill, which combines everything from all the involved parties. Second, he’s tripling the size of the response crews in Louisiana. Third, he’s keeping pressure on BP to pay for damages caused by the spill. Fourth, he’s going to help small business with loans needed due to the spill along with loan deferments for those they needed during Katrina. Finally, and most importantly, he’s approving a barrier island that will help prevent some of the oil from reaching shore. Will it help? Fingers crossed. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

28 May 2010 18:16

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U.S.: Obama’s in Louisiana, willing to help for the long haul

There’s Obama, on his A-game, trying to help. Despite what some apparent lobbyist flack commenters who are trying to influence our posts think, we think this is a good thing. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 1 Comment • Permalink

28 May 2010 15:47

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Culture: Let’s call out @Jesus_M_Christ for his Gary Coleman schadenfreude

  • I’m sorry I had to take Gary Coleman. But damn if I’m not going to make him say ‘What’choo talkin bout, Jesus?’ when he gets here.
  • The Twitter account @Jesus_M_Christ • Who’s been kind of a jerk about Gary Coleman’s very sad situation. The person behind the Jesus parody account has posted nine tweets in the last two days with the kind of black humor we can’t get behind. This tweet is pretty bad, but it’s nowhere near as bad as this one. Look, Coleman has famously been the butt of jokes (there’s a character in “Avenue Q” who parodies his depressing fate) but now isn’t the time. Seriously. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

28 May 2010 15:42

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Culture: RIP Gary Coleman: Let’s give the guy a little respect, OK?

  • Gary Coleman’s story may be one of the saddest child star stories ever. Coleman, who died at 42, deserves respect from an obit. Doesn’t he? For nearly a decade, he was a pint-sized legend that ranked up there with Lucille Ball. Then it all fell apart. His life is a sad tale. Not only is he the ultimate example of how typecasting can ruin a career (although the four People’s Choice Awards did help soften the blow in the early ’80s), but he had all sorts of awful things happen to him throughout his life. A few examples:
  • Trust misappropriationSure, Coleman spent all of those years on “Different Strokes,” but he didn’t get rich of it. Why? Because his parents and manager reportedly mis-managed his trust fund. As a result, he had to file for bankruptcy in 1999.
  • trouble with the lawWhile we don’t exactly want to play Coleman as an angel with a halo over his head, we can’t help but think his financial troubles eventually led to myriad troubles with the law, including assault and domestic violence charges.
  • selling out his imageOver the last two decades of his life, he had to suffer through humiliating appearance-oriented jobs just to pay the bills. It’s pretty troubling that his last credited role was in a film called “Midgets vs. Mascots.” His entire IMDB is a mess. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
 
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